Norway's Aksel Lund Svindal took the silver medal at Whistler, with American showman Bode Miller ripping down the gleaming Dave Murray piste for bronze on a day when the pre-race favourites ended up as also-rans.

Didier Cuche had been tipped for glory despite a thumb injury, and team-mate Carlo Janka was another leading contender, but it was the other Didier who became the first Swiss to win a men's Olympic Alpine title since Pirmin Zurbriggen in Calgary in 1988.

"You had to really fight on that piste, it was pretty bouncy. It was really a beautiful run," said the 32-year-old after seizing his first Olympic medal in his third Games.

"This morning I knew that the course would suit me well. I have been looking for a podium for a long time," he added against a backdrop of clanging cowbells.

"I knew I could do something on this course. After three Olympic Games and a lot of World Championships, I think my experience made a bit of difference."

Starting 18th, and two places after Svindal had ousted the rampaging Miller from the gold medal position, Defago romped down the piste without a mistake.

Miller's bronze made up for his failure to medal in Turin four years ago and added to the two silvers he won in Salt Lake City in 2002.

Canadian hope Manuel Osborne-Paradis, cheered on by a boisterous home crowd in the Whistler sunshine, saw his hopes disappear on the lower part of the piste, and team-mate Robbie Dixon crashed out after a wild start.

There was no defending Olympic champion, with France's Antoine Deneriaz retiring since his surprise gold in Turin and world champion John Kucera of Canada absent due to injury.

The race had been postponed from Saturday due to fog and high temperatures, but skiers awoke yesterday to crisp conditions and clear skies.